Snow fell across the South Island during the weekend, with avalanche-control work already under way at Porters.

Staff at Mt Hutt, with a 110-centimetre snow base, were considering an early opening. The ski area had had more than 170cm of snow over the past 10 days.

Assistant ski area manager James McKenzie said they would know Wednesday whether it was feasible to open, after considering health and safety and logistical issues. The field had planned to open on June 13.

Porters general manager Uli Dinsenbacher said there was 40cm of snow in the car park and 1.5 metres at the top of the mountain. Staff were packing down the snow, and carrying out avalanche-control work ahead of the June 26 opening.

Dinsenbacher said he had not seen such conditions in May in 20 years.

"It's very unusual. We usually get snowfalls in May, but they're not as substantial as the last couple have been."

He was confident the snow would stay.

"It's pretty hard to melt over a metre of snow and we're getting cold nights, and that will keep the snow there."

Make sure you book your Mt Hutt Accommodation now!


News Source: MARK HOTTON - The Press